At least 20 passengers were killed when the engine and four coaches of the ill fated Diwa-Sawantwadi passenger train came off the tracks on Konkan route in Raigad district of Maharashtra this morning.

Raigad Police said 145 people injured in the accident are being treated in Roha, Nagothane and Alibaug hospitals. The accident took place just outside the Bhisekhind Tunnel near Nagothane railway station.

The Railways have ordered an inquiry into the derailment of Diwa-Sawantwadi passenger train. Railway Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar said Commissioner, Railway Safety, Chetan Bakshi, who will conduct the inquiry, has rushed to the site. Kumar said he along with Advisor, Health, B B Agarawal are also visiting the site.

Meanwhile, helplines have been started at six railway stations. The helpline numbers are 022-22755990 and 22694090 for CST Mumbai , 022-24114836, Dadar, 022-25334840, Thane, 022-27468833, Panvel, 02352-228176, 228951 and 228954, Ratnagiri and 022-27561721, 27561723 and 27561724 for Belapur.

Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge has announced an ex-gratia of two lakh rupees to the next of kin of those killed in the accident, 50 thousand for seriously injured and ten thousand for passengers who suffered minor injuries.

Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil and Guardian minister Sunil Tatkare visited the accident site and later met the injured admitted in Roha hospital.